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Snowmobiler dies after going off trail

An Alberta snowmobiler was killed in an accident Sunday near Blue River.According to Clearwater RCMP, on Feb. 17 at 5:33 pm, police received a report from BC Ambulance of an injured adult male sledder in the Finn Creek area, 22 km south of Blue River.

Provincial Emergency Program was contacted and the Wells Gray Search and Rescue team was activated.

Upon RCMP arrival, EHS confirmed that the sledder was deceased. The coroner out of Kamloops was contacted and he authorized recovery of the body.

Investigation reveals that a group of sledders were on their way down the trail after a day of sledding back to the parking lot. On the way down the male subject was unable to negotiate a sharp corner and went off the trail right over a bank becoming airborne.The male and his sled smashed directly into a tree.

The male subject was located by his group lying at the bottom of the tree unconscious. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

The scene was photographed and statements were obtained from those involved.Wells Gray SAR removed the body from the mountain and he was transported to Clearwater by North Thompson Funeral Services.

Next of kin notification was completed last night by Killam RCMP detachment in Alberta. The deceased was a 50 year old male from Hardisty, Alberta.

As a result of the statements obtained it appears that speed may have played a role in this accident. However, alcohol was not a factor, say police This death is not considered suspicious, the police investigation has been concluded and this matter is now in the hands of the coroner, Terry Dixon.

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